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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Balkans should have joint stance about transportation community

Belgrade/Skopje, 27 November 2009

Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic stated in Skopje today that it is imperative that the entire Balkan region has a joint stance on the creation of a transportation community of South-eastern Europe.

Djelic, who is taking part in the 2nd regional conference of Western Balkan countries, told the FoNet news agency that, unlike the EU, countries in the region do not have a coordinated negotiating position or a joint stance on the formation of the Southeast European transportation community.

Since the formation of this community was one of the topics at the conference, the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister said that reciprocity in the opening of this market is important, adding that Serbia will ask for an increased number of licences for road transportation, as well as for support to the initiative for the Secretariat of the Southeast European transportation community to be situated in Belgrade.

He also recalled that the European Investment Bank decided to open its regional centre in Belgrade, therefore it would be only appropriate if the Secretariat also has its headquarters in the same city.

It would be logical that the future transportation community, covering road, railroad and river transportation, be situated in our country. That would be the first key pan-European institution with headquarters in Serbia, Djelic stressed.

He acquainted the Skopje conference with the initiative to form a technological fund for the Western Balkans to secure capital for promising technological companies from the region.

The initiative was positively accepted, Djelic stressed, voicing his expectation that after its presentation on December 9 in Brussels, at the conference “Europe and the Western Balkans”, the EU will also confirm that such a fund can be established.

Speaking about Serbia’s EU integration, Djelic stressed that now that the European Commission has recommended the unfreezing of the Transitional Trade Agreement, Serbia expects that to transpire soon because it has the undivided support of almost all EU members on that issue.

In that case, Serbia would apply for EU candidacy, he added.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated in Skopje today that Serbia recognises Macedonia under its constitutional name and will not alter this policy.

Djelic stressed that once Macedonia and Greece reach agreement over another name, Serbia will respect that agreement at Macedonia’s request.

He voiced his regret over Macedonia’s recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija.

Speaking about the agreement on border demarcation, signed between Pristina and Skopje, Djelic reiterated that any agreement about the border reached without the participation of the only legitimate factor – the Serbian government – is invalid and in contravention of the constitution, underlining that Serbia will treat it accordingly.

The Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the European Parliament resolution adopted yesterday, stressing that this is another incentive for all Western Balkan countries.

He voiced his hope that Serbia’s neighbours will also make speedy progress towards the EU, because their success is also an achievement for Serbia.

A joint statement will be adopted at the Skopje conference, in which deputy prime ministers in charge of EU integration or ministers from this sector from Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia are participating together with EU representatives.